Birthday lingering

So, Legoman came through with the best present in the world for my birthday. Despite several of his work colleagues expressing horror that he was getting me a kitchen appliance, he knew that this pistachio beauty was what I had been hankering for. And this wasn't just any birthday. Nope, it was was one of those significant, mid life crisis associated type birthdays. You know the ones.

And goodness , I had no idea how seriously everyone else took these kind of special days. I myself still feel about twenty three, so adding a zero onto a birthday doesn't really make me feel any different but boy was I more than happy to be swept up by the momentum.

When my mum offered to take the kids for a sleepover and all the girls at work were appalled  that I planned to just stay home, the suggestions came thick and fast. So off to a hotel we went. The only other time I have stayed in a hotel in Brisbane was before my wedding twelve years ago, so it was a little bit exciting. And the views from the Sofitel elevator are pretty spectacular.

And it is within walking distance to some shops that I have not seen the inside of since before I became acquainted with maternity undies. Oh Alannah Hill, how I wish I could get a job working in your gorgeous store, to gaze on the glorious wallpaper and access the generous staff discount. Apparently, the store is due for a makeover as this usually happens every seven years but I love this one exactly as it is.

Heavily discounted sale items were purchased. So easy to do when you are shopping on your actual birthday. Without children. It was a milestone moment.

Nothing was purchased in here, but look at those lights. Crystal decanters I think? You really notice the lights everywhere when you are currently in the process of choosing some for your own renovation.

This was all followed up by dinner at a lovely french restaurant, a sleep in until eight am and a hotel buffet breakfast. With only hours to go, there was just one more child free moment to squeeze in. With birthday money to spend too.

Woolloongabba Antique Centre, how I love thee when I can wander your halls, lingering in a way that the mother of small children never, ever lingers anywhere. And when you linger longer, goodies just speak to you.

A beautiful little shelf and an old tin covered in budgies. Happy, happy, happy. And back to my children for marble cake, candles, birthday songs and homemade cards.

While my first two score hasn't turned out quite the way I had expected, it is a good feeling to take a moments pause and appreciate the experiences I have had being married, having two beautiful children and a job that I still find incredibly satisfying. And while I still feel twenty three in my heart, I know in my head that I am wiser, stronger, humbler, less judgemental and better at trusting my intuition than that young whipper snapper. Oh and I have a lot more grey hairs and need one hell of a lot less sleep. My twenty three year old self used to joke that I needed eight hours to function and ten to be a nice person. Now I just accept that being a really nice person may not be possible until the kids leave home.